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The first female bishop of the Church of England may be ordained by the end of the year. The Mormon community is widely discussing the role of women in LDS leadership, missions, and perhaps the priesthood. Some religious traditions embrace the contributions of women in positions of authority within narrowly defined parameters. Others recognize a full equality in every arena of leadership. Everywhere the conversation about the role of women in leading religious communities involves the interpretation of sacred texts, the role of traditions, and the divine call of women.

Despite decades of positive change toward gender equality in American society, women remain under-represented in leadership positions in most major faith groups. What theological and social factors lie behind this resistance to change? How can more women gain access to leadership positions? What impact have women had in faith traditions with greater levels of equality? What might change if women had greater responsibility in religious organizations?

While some may scoff at contemporary diversity efforts as tokenism or just filling quotas, there is no turning back on our need to answer the fundamental questions, "Where am I? Where do I fit in? Who is speaking for me?"

Commentary From Our Blogging Community

It is part of our work to go out into the world, challenge the stereotypes and assumptions, and bring the divine feminine -- and respect for the feminine -- back into balance with how we treat all things male.

The progressive movement argues that there is a clear social injustice arising from the prohibition of woman-led congregational prayer. The prohibition of female imams is part of the larger problem of women's marginalization in the Muslim community.

Perhaps the greatest merit of the Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality (WISE) conference is that it creates a space for Muslim women to find equality and justice within their religious texts, traditions, and beliefs.

At the heart of this conference is this question—does Islam, does religion, bar women from leadership roles? What ayahs of the Quran, hadiths, or Islamic examples support or just allow for Muslim women to seek leadership roles in various facets of life?

The American Muslim community is eager to promote the notion that Islam is favorable to women’s leadership. We talk about the Prophet and how he encouraged women’s education, and praised his female companions for bravery in times of war. [Read More...]